WJC's

Team USA effectively stomped the life out of Slovakia's WJC hopes today defeating them 6-1 today in round robin play in Sweden. Vladimir Mihalik was -1 with 1 shot on goal in the game. Marek Bartanus was -2 with 2 penalty minutes in the game. The road gets worse for Slovakia as tomorrow they square off with defending tournament champion Canada in their final game of the round robin.

Slovakia allowed three unanswered third period goals today falling to Sweden 6-3. Lightning prospect Vladimir Mihalik had 1 goal in the game and was +1 with 1 shot on goal. Marek Bartanus was scoreless with no shots on goal in the loss. Now at 0-2, Slovakia's medal round chances are on life support heading into a matchup Saturday against Team USA. The Americans were mentioned among the pre-tournament favorites but have also fallen to 0-2 early in the tournament and will be just as desperate as the Slovaks to get a victory to try and salvage their medal round hopes.

Germany continued their great start to the U20 WJC's today knocking off Slovakia 4-2 after defeating Team USA less than 24 hours prior. Lightning prospect Marek Bartanus registered an assist on the Slovak's second goal. Counting Slovakia's two exhibition tune ups Bartanus now has 1 goal and 2 points in 3 games since heading over to Sweden for the tournament. Bartanus has assumed a regular spot on Slovakia's second line thus far. Bartanus was even with 3 shots on goal in the game. 2005 first round pick Vladimir Mihalik was -1 with 1 shot on goal in the game.

Three days away from the opening of the U20 World Junior Championships and exhibition tune up games are well underway. Slovakia defeated Belarus today 5-3 in their second tune up match in Sweden. Both defenseman Vladimir Mihalik and left wing Marek Bartanus were scoreless in the match for Slovakia. Mihalik played on the team's first pairing and received 6 minutes in penalties in the matchup. Bartanus played on Slovakia's second line and had 6 penalty minutes as well. Both players were involved in an ugly scrum in the middle of the third period which led to double roughing minors for each.

Bartanus had Slovakia's only goal in their 4-1 exhibition loss to Finland on Friday.